Armstrong Whitworth Meteor NF14
Serial Number:
WS843
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 1990/0689/A
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, National Cold War Exhibition
Always considered a stop-gap until more advanced aircraft
came into service, the introduction of radar-equipped Meteor night fighters
nevertheless provided the Royal Air Force with valuable experience of
jet fighter operations in this most difficult of environments.
With the Soviet Union and its satellite states rapidly re-equipping their
air forces with high performance jet aircraft immediately after the Second
World War, a replacement for the Royal Air Force's piston-engined Mosquito
night fighters became an urgent matter.
By 1948 Europe had divided into hostile groupings and it was clear that
the advanced jet night fighters the Royal Air Force needed would not be
ready in time to meet the developing threat. An interim solution was needed
urgently.
Gloster Aircraft put forward a proposal for a modified Meteor with amongst
other things a lengthened nose to take a radar and repositioned Hispano
cannons in the wings. This was accepted but as they were fully committed
manufacturing Meteor F8 day fighters it was decided to transfer the development
and production of Meteor night fighters to Armstrong Whitworth.
